Bird feeding device



Feb.- 5, 1963 M. H. KOFSKY ETAL BIRD FEEDING DEVICE FiIed 001;. 17. 1961 INVENTORS ALBERT E- KARP.

BYmioziill-fiv ATTORNEY MELVIN HAROLD KOFSKY United States Patent Ofiiice 3,076,433 Patented Feb. 5., 1963 3,676,433 BER!) FEEDING DEVICE Melvin Harold Koi'sky, New Hyde Park, and Albert E. Karp, Flushing, N.Y., assignors to Cal-Cod Process Corp, Maspeth, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 17, 1961, fier. No. 145,636 Claims. (Cl. 119-51) The present invention relates to a device in the nature of a housing, especially adapted for use as a feeding device for wild or outdoor birds.

Prior art feeding devices intended for the aforementioned purpose have been complicated in construction, bulky, and costly.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a feeding device intended for the aforementioned purpose, which is made of a one piece formation whereby the cost of making the same has been reduced considerably over prior art devices adapted for the same purpose. In accordance with the construction of the invention, the device may be molded in one piece of a conventional plastic material. The construction is such that it can easily be folded along predefined lines and is provided with inter-locking means so it may easily be assembled into its ready'to use condition. The simplicity 'of con struction permits the assembly of the device to be effectuated in only a few seconds by anyone, even a child. Furthermore, the construction in accordance with the invention is also capable of being folded easily into an extremely compact form so that storage and handling thereof is greatly simplified and can be done at a greatly reduced cost.

"It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a feeding device for outdoor birds which is made of an improved one piece construction.

Another object is the provision of a feeding device made of, a one piece construction which can easily be assembled into a ready to use condition without the necessity of any auxiliary parts and with the utmost of simplicity.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a feeding device made of aone piece construction which can easily be folded into a closed condition, in which condition it is extremely compact for simplifying and reducing the cost of handling and storage.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device in accordance with the invention shown in its fully as sembl'ed ready to use condition;

PEG. 2 is a plan view of the one piece molded construction which, when folded, forms the device in accordance with the invention; 1

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the various stepsperformed in folding the one piece construction of FIG. 2- into its closed condition;

FIG. 5 shows the device in accordance with the invention after it has been folded into its closed condition; and

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 66 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a feeding device 10 in accordance with the invention, when the latter is fully assembled and in condition for ready use. Device 10 is made of any suitable plastic material and is molded or formed in one piece. When fully assembled, as shown in FIG. 1, device it) comprises a floor 12, a roof 14, a pair of side walls 16, and rear wall 18. As shown in FIG. 1, floor 12 has a dish-like formation, roof 14 has an inverted dish-like formation, and each of side walls 16 has a C-shap-ed cutout 22.

The one piece device 10 is shown in FIG. 2 in its developed condition, i.e., the condition it appears when it has been molded. More specifically, it will be noted that rear wall 18 is of generally rectangular configuration with side walls 16 projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof. Each of side walls 16, in addition to being provided with G-shaped cutout or recess 22, is also provided at the upper part thereof, viewing FIG. 2, with an car 24 having an aperture 26. The bottom part of side Wall 16 is provided with a horizontal slit 28. A pair of converging reinforcing ridges 3t) and 32, respectively, are provided on each side wall 16 for purposes which will be more fully explained hereinafter. Rear wall 18 as well as side walls 16 may be provided with a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending ridges 34. These ridges 34 constitute reinforcing means for the'feeding device 16 and also add to the ornamental appearance thereof.

The floor 12 of device 10 is of dish-like shape comprising, as best shown in FIG. 6, a bottom wall 36 surrounded by a peripheral wall 38, the latter terminating in a curled peripheral fiange 40. Bottom wall 36 is recessed along an X-shaped configuration to define an upwardly extending projection best shown in FIG. 1 at 42. A plurality of apertures '44 areprovided in floor 12 adjacent to projection 42. The purpose of projection 42 and apertures 44 will be fully set forth hereinafter. Floor 12 is also provided with a pair of symmetrically disposed opposite tongues 46, said tongues being adapted to be inserted in slits 28, respectively, of said side walls 16.

Roof 15 is, as previously stated, in the shape of an inverted dish and comprises a convex-shaped portion 48 and a pair of opposite side parts 50. The latter, as shown in FIG. 1, extend in a direction slightly inclined from a vertical plane when device 10 is in its assembled conditon. a slit 52 which slits are adapted to receive, respectively, ears 24 on side walls 16. The roof 14 may also be provided with ridges 54 which rigidity the entire structure. The entire device 10 made up of the different parts explained hereabove is readily molded in one piece.

We now proceed to describe the manner in which the device 10 is assembled from its developed condition when it-is molded (FIG. "2) into its ready to use condition, shown in FIG. 1. First, side walls 16 are folded inwardly so as to be substantially perpendicular to the plane of rear wall 18. Thereafter, roof 14 is folded downwardly so that ears 24 are inserted into slits 52. In this connection, it will be noted that each ear 24 is provided with a pair of corners 24a spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the dimension of slit 52. Due to the flexible nature of car 24, by applying a little pressure when inserting ear 24 into slit 52, it is possible to force corners 24a past the slit. After each ear 24 has been so inserted into slit 52, corners 24a prevent ear 24 from being withdrawn therefrom unless some force is applied. Thereafter, floor 12 is folded to a position substantially perpendicular to rear wall 18 and tongues 46 are inserted into slits 28 of side walls 16. Tongues 46 are provided with corners 46a so that when these tongues are forced into slits 28 removal thereof will be prevented unless some force is applied. Thus, it is seen that the interlocking of ears 24 in slits 52, and the interlocking of tongues 46 in slits 28 causes side Walls 16, roof 14 and floor 12 to assume and remain in their folded condition, as shown best shown in FIG. 1, is to pass cords 54 therethrough so that the feeding device 19 may be conveniently suspended. .The provision of projection 42 and apertures 44 in floor Each of said parts 50 of roof 14 is pro-vided with 12 is for the purpose of defining drainage means for any water which may accummulate on the floor 12 as a result of rain. The combination of the C-shaped recesses 22 on side walls 16 and the ridges 30 and 32 thereon causes the entire feeding device to be flexible and resilient when the latter performs its intended purpose, namely, the housing of wild birds.

The particular construction of feeding device 10 is such as to also permit the latter to be easily folded into compact form for storing, packaging, distribution and marketing purposes. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, it will be noted that side walls 16 may be easily folded along previously described ridges 30 and 32 and thereafter each of the side walls 16 so folded along the ridges 30 and 32 can be folded so as to be positioned against rear Wall 18. When this has been done with both side walls 16, the floor 12 can be folded against rear wall 18 thereby enclosing therein, due to the fact that floor 12 is dish-shaped, the folded-over side walls 16. FIG. 4 shows the device after fioor 12 has been folded against rear wall 18 enclosing therein the folded-over side walls 16. Finally, roof 14 can be folded against floor 12 to completely enclose the latter, since said roof 14 has slightly greater dimensions than the outside dimensions of fioor 12. FIG. illustrates the entire device after it has been fully folded up in closed condition in which it appears in a most compact form which can easily be handled for more efiicient marketing, storage, etc.

Thus, it is 'seen that the device in accordance with the present invention is made of a one piece formation so that the cost of making the same is extremely low. Furthermore, the characteristic of the one piece construction is such that it can be assembled in a condition for ready use in the simplest of ways whereby even a child is able to assemble the same in a few seconds. Also, the constructional features of the one piece molded formation is such that it can easily be folded into a closed condition which is extremely compact to permit economical storage and easy packaging, marketing and distribution thereof.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that in the illusstrated embodiment certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A housing adapted for use as an outdoor bird feeding device comprising, a one piece molded plastic construction having a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a roof and a floor, said rear wall being rectangularly shaped and having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposite side edges, said side walls extending from said opposite side edges of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said roof extending from said top edge of said rear Wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said floor extending from said bottom edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, cooperating means on said side walls, top wall, and floor for retaining said side walls, top wall and floor in folded positions in planes substantially perpendicular to said rear wall to define said outdoor bird feeding devIce, said cooperating means comprising a pair of slits provided on said ro'of, a pair of ears on said side walls adapted to be detachably engaged, respectively, in said roof slits, a pair of slits provided on said side walls, and a pair of tongues on said floor adapted to be detachably engaged in said side wall slits, respectively.

2. A housing adapted for use as an outdoor bird feeding device comprising, a one piece molded plastic construction having a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a roof and a floor, said rear wall being rectangularly shaped and having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposite side edges, said side walls extending from said opposite side edges of said rear Wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said roof extending from said top edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said floor extending from said bottom edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, cooperating means on said side walls, top wall, and floor for retaining said side walls, top wall and floor in folded positions in planes substantially perpendicular to said rear wall to define said outdoor bird feeding device, each of said side Walls having a C shaped recess to impart flexibility thereto and to the housing, said cooperating means comprising a pair of slits provided on said roof, a pair of ears on said side walls adapted to be detachably engaged, respectively, in said roof slits, a pair of slits provided on said side walls, and a pair of tongues on said floor adapted to be detachably engaged in said side wall slits, respectively.

3. A housing adapted for use as an outdoor bird feeding device comprising, a one piece molded plastic construction having a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a roof and a floor, said rear wall being rectangularly shaped and having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposite side edges, said side walls extending from said opposite side edges of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said roof extending from said top edge of said rear wall andbeing foldable with respect to the latter, said floor extending from said bottom edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, cooperating means on said side walls, top wall, and floor for retaining said side walls, top wall and floor in folded positions in planes substantially perpendicular to said rear wall to define said outdoor bird feeding device, each of said side walls, having a C shaped recess to impart flexibility thereto and to the housing, said cooperating means comprising a pair of slits provided on said roof, a pair of cars on said side walls adapted to be detachably engaged, respectively, in said roof slits, a pair of slits provided on said side walls, and a pair of tongues on said floor adapted to be detachably engaged in said side wall slits, respectively, said roof and said floor each being dish-shaped, said floor having means including apertures for defining drainage means for said housing.

4. A housing adapted for use as an outdoor bird feeding device comprising, a one piece molded plastic construction having a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a roof and a floor, said rear wall being rectangularly shaped and having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposite side edges, said side walls extending from said opposite side edges of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said roof extending from said top edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said floor extending from said bottom edge of said rear Wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, cooperating means on said side walls, top wall, and floor for retaining said side Walls, top wall and floor in folded positions in planes substantially perpendicular to said rear wall to define said outdoor bird feeding device, said cooperating means comprising a pair of slits provided on said roof, a pair of cars on said side Walls, adapted to be detachably engaged, respectively, in said roof slits, a pair of slits provided on said side walls, and a pair of tongues on said floor adapted to be detachably engaged in said side wall slits, respectively, said side walls, floor and rear wall being foldable so as to be completely enclosed in said roof to form a compact package.

5. A housing adapted for use as an outdoor bird feeding device comprising, a one piece molded plastic construction having a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a roof and a floor, said rear wall being rectangularly shaped and having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposite side edges, said side Walls, extending from said opposite side edges of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said roof extending from said top edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, said floor extending from said bottom edge of said rear wall and being foldable with respect to the latter, cooperating means on said side walls, top wall, and floor for retaining said side walls, top wall and floor in folded positions in planes substantially perpendicular to said rear wall to define said outdoor bird feeding device, each of said side walls, having a C shaped recess to impart flexibility thereto and to the housing, said cooperating means comprising a pair of slits on said roof, a pair of cars on said side walls adapted to be detachably engaged, respectively, in said roof slits, a pair of slits provided on said side walls, and a pair of tongues on said floor adapted to be detachably engaged in said side wall slits, respectively, said roof and said floor each being dish-shaped, said floor having means including apertures for defining drainage means for said housing, said side walls, floor and rear wall being foldable so as to be completely enclosed in said roof to form a compact package.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mallgraf Apr. 2, 1940 2,292,614 Copeman Aug. 11, 1942 

1. A HOUSING ADAPTED FOR USE AS AN OUTDOOR BIRD FEEDING DEVICE COMPRISING, A ONE PIECE MOLDED PLASTIC CONSTRUCTION HAVING A REAR WALL, A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS, A ROOF AND A FLOOR, SAID REAR WALL BEING RECTANGULARLY SHAPED AND HAVING A TOP EDGE, A BOTTOM EDGE AND A PAIR OF OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES, SAID SIDE WALLS EXTENDING FROM SAID OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES OF SAID REAR WALL AND BEING FOLDABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE LATTER, SAID ROOF EXTENDING FROM SAID TOP EDGE OF SAID REAR WALL AND BEING FOLDABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE LATTER, SAID FLOOR EXTENDING FROM SAID BOTTOM EDGE OF SAID REAR WALL AND BEING FOLDABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE LATTER, COOPERATING MEANS ON SAID SIDE WALLS, TOP WALL, AND FLOOR FOR RETAINING SAID SIDE WALLS, TOP WALL AND FLOOR IN FOLDED POSITIONS IN PLANES SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID REAR WALL TO DEFINE SAID OUTDOOR BIRD FEEDING DEVICE, SAID COOPERATING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SLITS PROVIDED ON SAID ROOF, A PAIR OF EARS ON SAID SIDE WALLS ADAPTED TO BE DETACHABLY ENGAGED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SAID ROOF SLITS, A PAIR OF SLITS PROVIDED ON SAID SIDE WALLS, AND A PAIR OF TONGUES ON SAID FLOOR ADAPTED TO BE DETACHABLY ENGAGED IN SAID SIDE WALL SLITS, RESPECTIVELY. 